The Best Electric Breast Pump for Low Milk Supply

Posted: Sep 2nd, 2019

Most moms are capable of producing enough milk for their babies. However, a lot of them still worry if they are providing a sufficient amount because they feel like they have a low milk supply. As a mother, you should know that the amount of breast milk that each woman produces depends on a lot of factors. Some of these factors you can’t control and some you can manage.

Did you know that a common cause of low milk supply is poor latching of the baby? The proper removal of the milk from your breasts signals your body to make more milk. Consequently, if your baby is not latching on correctly, your milk removal will be inefficient. But besides proper latching, the duration of the feeding itself also affects your milk supply. An average feeding of a newborn should take around 20 to 45 minutes at 8 to 12 times per day. This gives your baby enough time to drain the milk from your breasts. Complete drainage of the milk is necessary to let your body know that it has to increase your milk supply.

It is essential that you never skip these breastfeeding sessions to protect your milk supply. These sessions keep your body stimulated to continue producing milk. However, what if your baby is not latching on correctly and you’re also unable to be with your baby 24/7? Is it still possible to have a stable milk production? An excellent solution for these common problems is the use of breast pumps. With the vast array of units available in the market, as mentioned by CuteLittleDarling, it is impossible that you will not find your perfect pump.

What I have here is the Spectra Baby USA S2 Plus Premier. This cute-looking electric breast pump is perfect for moms with low milk supply. Found out why:

Two Flange Sizes

As I have mentioned earlier, attachment to the breast is a significant factor to get your milk supply going. This unit comes with 2 flange sizes at 24 and 28 mm to accommodate moms with different breast sizes. The flange of the pump is what surrounds your nipple, which is why it is important that you have the perfect fit. If you use a flange that is too small or too big for you, you might end up having sore nipples and overall an uncomfortable pumping session.

Double Pump and Single Pump

Another reason that milk supply fluctuates is when you are unable to breastfeed frequently. It might be because it’s impossible for you to be home 24/7 or if your baby just doesn’t want to feed. You need to make every pumping session efficient so that you can build and maintain a sufficient supply of breast milk. You can save time by using the S2 Plus Premier as a double pump or use it as a single pump if you want to multitask.

Two-Phase Suction

The best way to stimulate your body for a let-down is with a baby. In fact, some even suggest that you should think of your little one as you pump because it helps in getting your body to produce milk. But besides this, a baby’s nursing is also physically stimulating, that is why manufacturers have designed their pumps to mimic it.

The S2 Plus Premier starts off with a short, shallow rhythm similar to when the baby stimulates a let-down. And once you begin expressing milk, the suction switches to a deeper and slower rhythm to keep your milk flowing. If you still have difficulty in producing milk even with these phases, you can customize the pump’s suction speed and rhythm according to your body’s preference. This unit is quite powerful at a maximum of 280mmHg, which means you can experiment with whatever speed and rhythm combination that works best for you.

During breastfeeding, you will notice that your baby will get tired eventually. This can result in inefficient draining of the breasts and, in turn, affects your milk supply. The S2 Plus Premier will not get tired and, at the same time, allows you to go back and forth the stimulation and expression phase. This way, you can effectively drain your milk. And because you can pump both breasts simultaneously or one at a time, you can even focus on the breast that produces more.

Auto-Shut Off and Nightlight Feature

I also like that the S2 Plus Premier has a nightlight and timer. These features may not seem like a significant addition for a pump, but during those routine night sessions, you have to be discreet and not wake your spouse or baby. Speaking of night sessions, the timer does not only let you know how long you’ve been pumping. You can also set it to automatically shut the device off in case you fell asleep (yes mama, it happens to everyone.)

The S2 Plus Premier comes with 2 backflow protectors, 2 duckbill valves, and 2 tubings as well. You can even opt for a set that has a cooler for the milk bottles and a backpack to keep each piece neatly.

Because the pump comes in contact with the milk and your breast, it is crucial to keep it sanitary and clean. That is why I appreciate that this is a closed system pump. This way, you don’t have to worry about milk residues in the tubing that can encourage mold and bacteria to grow.

So why do I prefer an electric pump? It is true that manual pumps give you the flexibility to use it anywhere. However, electric pumps are more efficient when it comes to stimulating milk production. You can always opt for a unit that has a rechargeable or battery-operated option if you want to use it even without an outlet.

We all know that breast milk is undefeated when it comes to being a superfood. It is essential for your baby’s growth and good health, that is why it is understandable that you always worry about your milk supply. But more than the reasons I stated above, there are also other factors that you should consider if you feel like you aren’t producing enough milk.

These factors can include anatomical issues such as underdeveloped ducts, hormonal problems, or the medications and supplements that you’re taking. Overall, you can always talk to a lactation consultant or to your doctor, if you want to know more about your milk supply.